Some of the reasons for preventable C-section deaths included a ruptured uterus in mothers who had pre-existing placental complications, bleeding before birth or during surgery, and problems related to anaesthesia.

But the report’s authors are not calling for less C-sections.

Mr Bruce Biccard, professor at the University of Cape Town, actually things there should be more across Africa.

âImproving access to surgery might allow patients to present earlier and prevent complications and deaths but it is vital that this improvement occurs in parallel with programmes aimed at improving patient safety during caesarean delivery,â Mr Biccard is quoted as saying in The Telegraph newspaper.

Almost 3,800 women were included in the study across 22 countries, making it the largest to track maternal complications in Africa.

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